Dwyane Wade's hurt knee was a major concern last season for the Miami Heat as they fought to repeat as NBA champions, but the origin of his injury troubles date back much farther.

Wade has dealt with the rigors of playing through chronic knee issues for more than a decade. He said many of those problems, including a second major surgery to his left knee in 2012, could have been avoided had he properly handled a meniscus tear that needed surgery back in 2002, after Wade had just finished his sophomore season at Marquette.

"My knee problems and the things I've dealt with started from that," Wade said, according to ESPN.com. "That was [11] years ago and technology was different and the way you approach things was different.

"At that moment, if everyone looked ahead and said, 'Dwyane's going to have a 20-year career, maybe we should do something different,' maybe I wouldn't have [knee issues]. At that time it was to get me back on the basketball court and do what is best."

As ESPN noted, Wade pointed to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, who responded to the same issue by having his meniscus tear repaired instead of removed, as looking at the situation with a wider lens.

"When Westbrook had his injury, they kind of saved his meniscus," Wade said. "Mine was taken out, and that opens you up to having certain knee injuries and problems, so that's what I've had to deal with. We have a great training staff and we have great doctors. Whatever way you look at it, I'm going into my 11th season, there's lots of guys who haven't made it this far."

How far Wade can make it from here could have real implications for the Heat going forward. LeBron James is nearing free agency in the summer of 2014, at which time he will choose what team to play for in his prime years. Assurance that Wade will be in the position to function as a proper No. 2 could go a long way in helping James make that decision.

Wade has taken every measure to ensure he is ready for the long haul. He returned to work with trainer Tim Grover this summer and showed up to camp in supreme condition, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

"He's extremely fit, he's had a great camp so far," Spoelstra said. "He's trying to win every drill."